Spectroscopic detection of gas-phase HOSO2

The HOSO2 radical was detected by microwave spectroscopy in a discharge plasma of a SO2/H2O gas mixture. The observed spectrum shows tunneling splittings due to the OH torsional motion. A least-squares analysis considering interactions between the two torsional sublevels of the ground vibronic state, 0(+) and 0(-), reproduces the observed transition frequencies with a standard deviation of ca. 3 kHz. The splitting between the two torsional sublevels is accurately determined to be 24.3 MHz for HOSO2 and 0.08 MHz for DOSO2. The potential barrier for the OH torsional motion is estimated to be 1150 cm(-1) from a one-dimensional hindered rotor model.